Romblon, Romblon

Romblon
Municipality
Municipality of Romblon
Romblon town and Romblon Bay

Map of Romblon with Romblon highlighted
Romblon
Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 12°33′00″N 122°27′30″E / 12.55°N 122.45833°E / 12.55; 122.45833Coordinates: 12°33′00″N 122°27′30″E / 12.55°N 122.45833°E / 12.55; 122.45833
Country  Philippines
Region Mimaropa (Region IV-B)
Province Romblon
District Lone district
Founded 1571 (as encomienda)
Incorporated 1631 (as pueblo)
Barangays 31 (see Barangays)
Government [1]
 • Type Sangguniang Bayan
 • Mayor Mariano M. Mateo [2]
 • Vice Mayor Mac-Mac Silverio
 • Electorate 21,859 voters (2016)
Area [3]
 • Total 86.87 km2 (33.54 sq mi)
Highest elevation 444 m (1,457 ft)
Population (2015 census)[4]
 • Total 38,758
 • Density 450/km2 (1,200/sq mi)
Time zone UTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code 5505
PSGC 175910000
IDD : area code  +63 (0)42
Climate type Tropical climate
Income class 3rd municipal income class
Revenue (₱) 98,654,692.77 (2016)
Native languages Romblomanon
Tagalog
Website www.romblon.gov.ph

Romblon, officially the Municipality of Romblon, is a 3rd class municipality and capital of the province of Romblon, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 38,758 people.[4]

Romblon Island is one of the three major islands of Romblon province; the other two are Sibuyan Island and Tablas Island. Romblomanon or Ini is the native language of its residents.

History

Early history

Fuerza de San Andres, a national cultural treasure as declared by the NCCA.
Romblon church, a national cultural treasure as declared by the NCCA.

The first inhabitants of Romblon were Negritos tribes of Panay and Mindoro Mangyan tribes. The discovery of hanging coffins and artistic material in caves of the island of Banton demonstrates the existence of a rich and ancient civilization and Aboriginal culture.[5]

The islands were first visited by Spanish conquistador Martin de Goiti in late 1569, and were thereafter organized by the Spanish into encomiendas. The encomienda of Donblon (Romblon), established on April 24, 1571, was granted to Don Gonzalo Riquel. In the first census done by Spanish navigator Miguel de Loarca in 1582, Romblon Island was shown to have 240 residents engaged in wax gathering.[6] At this time, Miguel de Loarca recorded the island's name as "Lomlon" or "Doblon".[7] In the local Visayan dialect, the word means a bird warming an egg in its nest. It was also known as Domblon before the present name was adopted.[5]

In 1631, during the term of Spanish Governor-General Juan Niño de Tabora, Romblon was established as a pueblo, making it one of the two oldest settlements in the province, the other being Banton located in the north of the province.[6] In 1635, the island of Romblon was evangelized by Spanish Recollect fathers and became a dependency of the Captaincy General of the Philippines. Their fortified church is the present cathedral of Romblon. Two forts erected by them, San Andrés and Santiago, are now in ruins. It received its first Spanish missionaries in the 17th century. During the 17th and 18th centuries, it was often ravaged by Moros.

It was organized into a Comandancia (a province or district under military control[8]) by the Spanish in 1853.

Modern history

In 1901, the American occupation saw the establishment of a civilian government in the town.[9] Ten new barrios were created while three existing barrios were also abolished. These include Aglomiom which was merged to Sablayan due to its small population, Embarcacion which was attached again to El Pueblo or Poblacion and the inland barrio of Cogon which was reorganized and split into five barrios of Tambac, Ilauran, Macalas, Lamao, and Agbaluto (referred collectively as TIMLA, from its initial letters) while barrio Alfonso XIII was renamed Calabogo.

The ten additional barrios were Bagacay, Agbudia, Agtongo, Embarcacion, Maria Cristina (renamed as Sawang) and the five new TIMLA barrios. These barrios aside from TIMLA were Agtongo which was created into a separate barrio in 1916 taken from Cajimos while in 1918 those engaged in maritime industry which were designated separately as distinct barrio known as Embarcacion was annexed again to barrio Poblacion or El Pueblo in 1939. Agbudia was the last barrio to be created taken from Guimpingan in 1939. Meanwhile, the two barrios Majabangbaybay and Sogod, located in Tablas island, were returned to Badajoz (now San Agustin), abolished as independent barrios and attached as sitios of barrio Guinpuc-an (Carmen) in 1901.

During World War II, an American force landed in the island on March 11, 1945 and liberated it from the occupying Japanese forces. By March 18, the entire province was liberated from the Japanese. A monument located near the beach in Sawang commemorates this event.

In 1960, the island barrio of Nagoso was renamed Cobrador while in 1975, the urban barangay of Poblacion was split into four separate barangays, named simply as Barangays 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Geography

Romblon Island
Geography
Archipelago Romblon Group of Islands
Adjacent bodies of water Sibuyan Sea
Administration
Region MIMAROPA
Province Romblon
Municipality Romblon
Largest settlement Romblon (pop. 38,758)
Demographics
Population 38,758 (2015)

The municipality consists primarily of Romblon Island, as well as the smaller Alad, Cobrador, and Logbon Islands. The municipality is situated along the coast of Romblon Bay, a natural harbor and safe haven for ships passing in the area during inclement weather. The highest peak is Mount Lagting in barangay Sablayan with a height of 444 metres (1,457 ft).

Barangays

Romblon is politically subdivided into 31 barangays.

  • Agbaluto
  • Agpanabat
  • Agbudia
  • Agnaga
  • Agnay
  • Agnipa
  • Agtongo
  • Alad (island barangay)
  • Bagacay
  • Cajimos
  • Calabogo
  • Capaclan
  • Ginablan
  • Guimpingan
  • Ilauran
  • Lamao
  • Li-o
  • Logbon (island barangay)
  • Lunas
  • Lonos
  • Macalas
  • Mapula
  • Cobrador (Naguso)
  • Palje
  • Barangay I (Poblacion)
  • Barangay II (Poblacion)
  • Barangay III (Poblacion)
  • Barangay IV (Poblacion)
  • Sablayan
  • Sawang
  • Tambac

Demographics

Population census of Romblon
YearPop.±% p.a.
1903 10,095—    
1918 10,467+0.24%
1939 14,309+1.50%
1948 12,879−1.16%
1960 16,708+2.19%
1970 21,717+2.65%
1975 22,489+0.70%
YearPop.±% p.a.
1980 24,251+1.52%
1990 29,983+2.14%
1995 34,290+2.55%
2000 36,612+1.41%
2007 37,544+0.35%
2010 37,995+0.44%
2015 38,758+0.38%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[4][10][11][12]

Romblomanons are the indigenous inhabitants of Romblon. They are part of the wider Visayan ethnolinguistic group, who constitute the largest Filipino ethnolinguistic group. In 2015, there were 38,758 people living in Romblon. Most Romblomanons speak Ini, one of the three languages in the province after Asi and Onhan.

Local government

The old municipal building of Romblon, Romblon

Pursuant to Chapter II, Title II, Book III of Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991,[13] the municipal government is composed of a mayor (alkalde), a vice mayor (bise alkalde) and members (kagawad) of the legislative branch Sangguniang Bayan alongside a secretary to the said legislature, all of which are elected to a three-year term and are eligible to run for three consecutive terms. The incumbent mayor is Mariano M. Mateo and the vice mayor is Mac-Mac Silverio. Both are from Nacionalista Party.

Period Mayor Vice Mayor
30 June 2010 - 30 June 2013
Gerard S. Montojo(Lakas–CMD)(NP)[14][15]
Melben M. Mesana (Lakas–CMD)
30 June 2013 – 30 June 2016
Mariano Mateo(NP)[14]
30 June 2016 - incumbent
Mariano Mateo(NP)[2]
Mac-Mac Silverio(NP)

Provincial government

As the capital of the province, the Romblon Provincial Capitol is situated in the municipality, where the governor, the vice governor, and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan takes office. It is located in Barangay Capaclan.

Transportation

By sea

Romblon is accessible via RORO vessels that ply the Manila-Odiongan, Batangas City-Odiongan, or the Roxas-Odiongan route. From Odiongan, Romblon can be reached by jeepney and motorized boat via San Agustin, Romblon.[16] There are also direct RORO routes from Manila to Romblon as well as Batangas City and Romblon.[16]

By air

The closest airport with active airline service is Tugdan Airport in Alcantara, Romblon. As of August 2014, Fil-Asian Airways offers four weekly flights[17] while SkyJet offers charter flights[18] to Romblon from Manila. From Alcantara, Romblon can be reached in 3–4 hours by jeepney and an hour by motorized boats from San Agustin.

Tourism

The Fuente de Belen fountain in Romblon

The capital town of Romblon is rich political and religious history as well as natural beauty. Some of the places worth visiting in the municipality include:

  • St. Joseph's Cathedral and Belfry: One of the oldest Roman Catholic Church is located in barrio Poblacion. It was constructed for the Recollect Fathers between 1640 and 1726 by talented local artisans using coral blocks and bricks.
  • Fuente de Belen: Located across the municipal hall, Fuente de Belen is a water fountain erected in 1864 by Eduardo Asuero. It is the source of fresh water for Romblon during the Spanish colonial period. Atop the fountain is an image of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
  • Old Municipal Building: Built out of coral limestone during the Spanish colonial era, it housed the cuartel or headquarters of the local Guardia Civil. Retaining the old architecture of the building, the municipal hall is still used to house government offices and the municipal jail.[19]
  • Bishop's Palace or Villa del Mar: Located in barangay Lonos, it serves as the official residence of the Bishop of Romblon. It was constructed out of clay bricks by the first bishop of Romblon, Msgr. Nicolas Mondejar
  • Talipasak Beach Resort: It is located 13 kilometers from town in barangay Ginablan and offers a quiet and restful place for tourists. Activities include swimming, snorkeling, beach combing, and island hopping.
  • Tiamban Beach: Located some 5 kilometers from the town proper, this fine white sand beach in barangay Lonos stretches to about 250 meters.
  • Forts San Andres and Santiago: Twin Spanish forts constructed out of coral blocks and bricks between 1644 and 1573, which overlook the whole town and harbor at 156 feet above sea level. These served as a bastion to protect the people against Muslim raiders and Dutch pirates.
  • Marble Beach Resort: Located in Barangay Ginablan, it is a perfect spot for nature lovers.
  • Bonbon Beach: Located five kilometers away from town proper this shoreline in Barangay Lonos is covered with fine white sand and features a gradually sloping ocean floor free of sea grass and sharp stones.
  • Simbahan Cave: Located in barangay Cobrador, it is the largest natural cave in the islands and believed to be an ancient burial ground as manifested by pottery and ancient works of arts found inside.
  • Cobrador Beach: Barangay Cobrador's treasure is its beaches. This is located in the eastern side of the islet and has fine white sand and crushed corals.
  • Romblon Harbor: It offers a perfect shelter for sea vessels since Spanish colonial period. Lying off the bay is a sunken galleon and the wreck of a Japanese battleship.
  • Marble quarries and factories: Anyone interested in how Romblon marble is made can take a tricycle from the town proper to the marble quarries and factories. Romblon's marble can be compared to Italy's carara. It comes in a spectrum of shades ranging from white to black with a gamut of in-between tints like mottled white, tiger white, onyx and jade.

References

  1. ↑ "Municipality". Quezon City, Philippines: Department of the Interior and Local Government. Retrieved 31 May 2013.
  2. 1 2 "ROMBLON - ROMBLON - City/Municipality Results - Eleksyon2016 - Results -".
  3. ↑ "Province: Romblon". PSGC Interactive. Quezon City, Philippines: Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
  4. 1 2 3 Census of Population (2015). "Region IV-B (Mimaropa)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. PSA. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
  5. 1 2 "Romblon". Philippine Information Agency. Republic of the Philippines. Retrieved 23 June 2017.
  6. 1 2 "History of Carmen including Historical and Cultural Background of North-eastern Barangays of the Municipality of San Agustin, Romblon." Romblon Municipal Library
  7. ↑ "Romblon: Population Expected to Double in 41 Years". Philippine Statistics Authority. Republic of the Philippines. 3 September 2002. Retrieved 23 June 2017.
  8. ↑ "comandancia". Merriam-Webster online dictionary. External link in |work= (help)
  9. ↑ Merriam-Webster, Inc (1997). Merriam-Webster's geographical dictionary. Merriam-Webster. pp. 1001. ISBN 978-0-87779-546-9.
  10. ↑ Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Region IV-B (Mimaropa)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. NSO. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  11. ↑ Censuses of Population (1903–2007). "Region IV-B (Mimaropa)". Table 1. Population Enumerated in Various Censuses by Province/Highly Urbanized City: 1903 to 2007. NSO.
  12. ↑ "Province of Romblon". Municipality Population Data. Local Water Utilities Administration Research Division. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
  13. ↑ "An act providing for a local government code of 1991". 8th Congress of the Republic of the Philippines. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
  14. 1 2 "2013 Election Results: Romblon, Romblon - Comelec Live Data - Philippine National and Local Elections - Updated Real Time".
  15. ↑ "Philippines 2010 Elections Results". Archived from the original on 2016-05-30.
  16. 1 2 "How to get to Romblon". Romblon Lifestyles. Archived from the original on 2015-02-28. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
  17. ↑ "Fil-Asian Airways completes inaugural flight". Philippine Flight Network. 24 June 2013. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
  18. ↑ "SkyJet to make Romblon accessible to tourists". Philippine Flight Network. 3 July 2013. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
  19. ↑ "National Museum News". National Museum. 2013. Retrieved 31 May 2014.
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